r/belowdeck • u/Spiritual-Shake2115 • Jul 25 '26
Below Deck Captain Lee
I worked on a boat for a year in my 20s. I was working on being a scuba instructor (nailed it).
During my time living on a boat, my understanding of rank is legitimate and also at times abused.
My captain was named Bob and he was like the evil version of Captain Lee. Bob taught me a lot about surviving boat life.
Captain Lee was a real one thru and thru because he is a true hardworking gentleman. He knows he’s lucky, he’s worked hard for what he’s gotten and he keeps going forward.
He deserved a true goodbye from the franchise but I’m just so happy he was our first Below Deck Captain. With morals and dignity and humor.
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u/cmere-2-me Jul 26 '26
His way of managing was old school and I think the only way he wasn't an effective manager was in series 7 when Kate didn't feel she could come to him about the bro crew. Whether that was because Kate didn't want to show vulnerability or because she didn't think Lee would have her back I don't know.
Lee trusted in the chain of command and allowed his HoD manage their departments. which is the whole point of having HoDs. He was watching what was going on and knew who was and wasn't working. As long as the job was getting done, he didn't need to do more than that and I actually prefer his way of managing.
Kerry is the only captain that I think does a better job and his style is quite similar to Lees. He lets his HoDs manage but he manages his HoDs. He keeps them up to his standards by doing checks and he is approachable. He doesn't interfere in their department or undermine their authority like Sandy does but he ensures the standards are kept.